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Click here to subscribeZAIFENG, PRINCE CHUN: (1883-1951) China Ruler 1908-11 as Prince Chun of the First Rank, Regent for Emperor Puyi. Father of Puyi, last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Rare signed bold black ink piece, in Chinese characters, by Prince Chun. The 3 x 7 grid piece bears at the foot and written in another hand "Prince Chung, Regent de la Chine". VG. £300-400
CHIANG MAY-LING SOONG: (1898-2003) First lady of the Republic of China 1948-75, as fourth wife of President Chiang Kai-shek. Signed postal card Mayling Soong Chiang by Madame Chiang. Signed in bold black ink, with an ink stamp dated 25th April 1977 in Hempstead, New York. The card bearing to the front few colour images of Macerata, Italy. VG £80-100
CHIANG CHING-KUO: (1910-1988) Taiwanese Politician and leader of the Kuomintang. Succeeded his father, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, as Premier of the Republic of China 1972-78 and President 1878-88. Signed bold black ink piece, in Chinese characters, by Chiang Ching-Kuo, to a compliment printed card of the President of the Republic of China, also bearing to the front a blind embossed seal. Accompanied by the original envelope and typed letter from the Office of the President Republic of China, signed by the Director of First Bureau Chou Ying-Lung. EX £100-150
OWENS JESSE: (1913-1980) American Athlete, famous for his participation at the Berlin Olympics in 1936 where he became the first American to win four Olympic Gold medals in track and field events. Signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Owens in a full length action pose at the start of his record breaking 200 metre race at the Berlin Olympics, 1936. Signed `To Johnathan my Best to you always. Jesse Owens, 36 Olympics´ across a light area of the image. An historic signed photograph. VG £150-200
LENGLEN SUZANNE: (1899-1938) French Tennis Player, Wimbledon Champion 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 & 1925. Bold, dark vintage fountain pen ink signature ('Suzanne Lenglen') on an 8vo page removed from an autograph album. Some extremely minor, light smudging to two letters of the signature. Together with H. W. Austin (1906-2000) English Tennis Player, Wimbledon finalist in 1932 & 1938. The first tennis player to wear shorts. Vintage signed postcard photograph of Austin standing in a full length pose, wearing his tennis shirt and shorts, at the side of a tennis net and with a racquet in one hand. Photograph by E. Trim & Co. of Wimbledon. Signed in dark fountain pen ink to a largely clear area at the base of the image and dated 1936 in his hand. VG, 2. £150-200
WAGNER LOUIS: (1882-1960) French Racing Driver and Pioneer Aviator. Wagner won the first ever US and British Grand Prix. An excellent and rare signed and inscribed 9 x 7.5 photograph by Wagner, the image depicting the French driver in his Ballot number 34, alongside his mechanic, at the Indianapolis 500-Mile competition. Signed and inscribed to a contemporary racing driver by Wagner in bold black ink to the light right bottom corner of the image (`To the friend Inghibert, souvenir of Indianapolis. 31st May 1919. L. Wagner´). Slightly irregularly trimmed to the upper border, otherwise VG £500-800 Louis Inghibert, French Racing Driver.
JANNINGS EMIL: (1884-1950) German Actor, the first actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor and the first person to be presented an Oscar. A.N.S., E. Jannings, one page, 4to, on board Hamburg, 11th May 1929, in German. The note is written on a page removed from the autograph album of the Captain of the boat Hamburg, travelling from Hamburg to New York. Jannings writes in bold black ink a four lines annotation thanking Captain Schwamberger. Beneath Jannings note, a second thanking message to the Captain by Friedrich-Wilhelm von Prittwitz, dated 20th July 1929 in his hand. Together with Ludwig Klitzsch (1881-1954) Film Pioneer. General Director of UFA. A.N.S., Ludwig Klitzsch, one page, 4to, on board Hamburg, 24th July 1927, in German. The lengthy note is also written on a page removed from the same autograph album. Klitzsch thanks Captain Schwamberger and all people like him that help Germany to get back to his naval power. To the verso three more passengers annotations, including Eugen Scheisinger, member of the UFA films company, and Ernst Feyerabend (1867-1943) German Secretary of State and a pioneer in telecommunication. Slightly irregularly trimmed to the left edge, otherwise VG, 2 £150-200 Oskar Richard Schwamberger (1868-1930) Skipper of the Hamburg-American line. He completed more than 150 round trips of the Atlantic. Captain Schwamberger was one of the most popular commanders of ocean steamers. Friedrich-Wilhelm von Prittwitz (1884-1955) Ambassador of Germany to Washington 1928-33. In office at the time Hitler came to power and was appointed Chancellor, he resigned in protest the day after.
PIAF EDITH: (1915-1963) French Singer. Rare vintage signed and inscribed 5.2 x 7 photograph of a very young Piaf, seated, in a half length pose. Signed by Piaf with her very first stage name (`La Môme Piaf´), (“The Little Sparrow”), in 1935-36, and before changing it to Edith Piaf. The attractive photograph was issued as a promotional image by Polydor. Signed in green fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, (`To Miss Bernadette, with all my sympathy´). With extremely small pin holes to the white border, otherwise VG £300-400
GRUNFELD ALFRED: (1852-1924) Austrian Pianist and Composer, the first pianist to make a recording. A.M.Q.S., Alfred Grunfeld, one page, oblong 8vo, Warsaw, 25th November 1904. On a page removed from an autograph album Grunfeld has penned a five bar quotation on two staves in treble and bass clefs, which he identifies as Valsemignonne op.51. Signed and dated immediately beneath the quotation VG. £80-100
LEHAR FRANZ: (1870-1948) Austro-Hungarian Composer of operettas. Vintage signed postcard photograph depicting the young composer seated in a three quarter length pose. Boldly signed by Lehar in fountain pen ink (´I cordially thank you for the congratulations´) to a partially clear area ofthe image. Handwritten address to the verso also in his hand and postmarked in Vienna 4th May 1906. EX £100-120 Lehar is most probably receiving congratulations for his greatest operetta, The Merry Widow, first performed the 30th December 1905, which toured Austria in 1906 with great success.
TCHAIKOVSKY MODEST: (1850-1916) Russian Dramatist and opera Librettist, younger brother of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and his first Biographer. Rare A.L.S., Modest Tchaikovsky, one page 8vo, 13 M[alaya] Morskaya [St. Petersburg], 17th November 1893, to the Editor of a magazine, in Cyrillic. Tchaikovsky states `The entire family of Piotr Tchaikovsky conveys its deep gratitude to the editor of the magazine Serer(?) for the regard shown in sending six copies of number 45 of the aforesaid magazine´. With blank integral leaf. EX £100-150. The letter is written only eleven days after the composer´s death. 13 Malaya Morskaya is the address where Piotr Tchaikovsky died on 6th November 1893. The day after this letter was written, the composer's friend, conductor Eduard Napravnik (1839-1916), led the second performance of the Pathétic Symphony at a memorial concert in St. Petersburg. This was three weeks to the day after the composer had led the première in the same hall, before much the same audience.
OFFENBACH JACQUES: (1819-1880) German-born French Composer. Autograph Musical Manuscript, unsigned, one page, oblong folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d. The manuscript comprises two sketches in Offenbach´s hand, the first of six bars in pencil to the top stave, and the second of four bars in black ink to the third stave. The first sketch is penned as a continuation of a starting bar which appears on a partially torn piece which was part of a previous page. Irregularly torn at the base and with some light age wear, about G. £200-300
FALLA MANUEL DE: (1876-1946) Spanish Composer. Signed and inscribed postcard photograph (“Manuel de Falla”), Madrid, 5th November1927, the image depicting Falla seated, in a half length pose, reading a document. Signed and inscribed in bold black ink to a clear area of the image by Falla, stating `An affectionate souvenir of my first concert in Madrid´, also dated in his hand. Very small corner creasing. VG £200-300
PUCCINI GIACOMO: (1858-1924) Italian Composer. A.L.S, G. Puccini, one page, 4to folded, n.p. [Milan], 8th January 1906, to Pavone, in Italian. Puccini refers to the text of a drama and states ´Wait before asking for the drama - I will write to you again because I have found the novel translated into French which I have ordered in Paris, and after having read it, if the first impression is good, I will want to get full knowledge of the drama.´ The composer play on words referring to a libretto he has been working on, and states ´The Maria Antonietta is faded out before rising - It doesn´t work!' Puccini concludes sending his regards to friends including some contemporary illustrious composers, ´Send regards to Tosti, to Denza, Angeli whose address I ask you to send me´. With the correspondent´s address written to the verso in Puccini´s hand. A good content letter with a large bold signature. VG. £500-800 Cosimo Pavone was a friend of Puccini, and collaborator of the musical editor Ricordi. Most of Puccini´s masterworks were based on librettos by Luigi Illica (1857-1919) and Giacomo Giacosa (1847-1906). After Giacosa´s death, in the year of this letter, most of Puccini's operas with Illica did not reach a conclusion, most notably Marie Antoinette. Paolo Tosti (1846-1916) Italian, later British Composer. Luigi Denza (1846-1922) Italian Composer. Alfredo Angeli was Puccini´s friend living in London. It has been reported that Angeli was the one who suggested to Puccini to go and see David Belasco´s one act play Madame Butterfly at the Duke of York´s Theatre.
HEIFETZ JASCHA: (1901-1987) Russian-born American Violinist. Signed First Day Cover issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and featuring nine small printed portraits of the ASCAP founders and an American Music stamp postmarked at New York, 15th October 1964. Signed ('Best Wishes, Jascha Heifetz´) in blue ink to a partially clear area at the head of the cover, the surname running across the stamp. VG £80-100
CARUSO ENRICO: (1873-1921) Italian Tenor. Two telegrams (received copies) sent by Caruso to Leopoldo Mugnone. The first being a Western Union Telegram sent to Mugnone, Hotel Langwell, New York, 2nd April 1921, in Italian. Caruso, just four months before his death, sends his sincere congratulations to his correspondent, having learned with immense pleasure about his great success which he enjoys as his own one, and asks him to visit him as soon he finds time. Accompanied by the original Western Union envelope. The second being a telegram sent by Caruso from New York, [1916?] to Leopoldo Mugnone, Florence. The Tenor sends his regards with affection. G, 2. £80-100 Leopoldo Mugnone: (1858-1941) Italian Conductor, he performed the premiere of Cavalleria Rusticana and Tosca.
GIGER H. R.: (1940-2014) Swiss Surrealist Painter, Academy Award winner for his visual effects for the film Alien (1979). Signed 8 x 10 photograph, the image depicting a Giger's photograph close-up portrait surrounded by colour images showing his own designs for science fiction films. Signed in bold blue ink, with his name alone, to the lower white border of his photograph. Together with Zaha Hadid (1950- ) Iraqi-British Architect. First woman recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Signed colour 8 x 10 photograph by Hadid, showing her standing in a half length pose. Signed in bold blue ink to the lower white border. EX, 2 £80-100
GAUTIER THEOPHILE: (1811-1872) French Poet & Novelist. A.L.S., Theophile Gautier, one page, 12mo, [Geneva], [18th August 1865], to Paul, in French. Gautier thanks his correspondent for his letter and states in his habitual small writing `..your letter, far from troubling me, has brought back pleasant souvenirs to me from Paris and from the friends I left there.´ further saying `Believe that I will make my best to obtain a success for Le Petit Moniteur and show that we can be amusing without having to stop writing in French..´. Gautier concludes adding to the foot `..thanks him for the effort he is making to write an article about my Russian trip´. Accompanied by the original envelope, hand written by Gautier. A good content letter. VG £200-300 Paul Dalloz (1829-1867) French Journalist & newspapers Manager. Director of Le Petit Moniteur Universel. Le Petit Moniteur Universel was a French daily newspaper, which was first issued in 1869 and printed in Paris. Gautier was one of his prominent editors.
DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895) French Author and Dramatist. A.L.S., A Dumas, four pages, 8vo, n.p.[Paris], 3rd August 1844, to Joseph Autran, in French. Dumas refers first to a mutual friend´s convalescence and states `As you can see, although I am half a poet only, I am a real soothsayer´, further commenting on his feelings, memories and sadness once back at home after having spent three months in Marseille `..Marseille, where I found people who really like me as a person, for me, something you don´t find in Paris.´ Accompanied by the original 12mo envelope hand addressed by Dumas. VG £100-150. Joseph Autran (1813-1877) French Poet and Playwright, a close friend of Alexandre Dumas.
DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895) French Author and Dramatist. A.L.S., A Dumas, three pages, 8vo, St Germain en Laye, 29th October 1847, to Joseph Autran, in French. Dumas sends news of a letter he has received from Hostein, and forwards his message, `I need for my shareholders and to cover the first year expenses to make a lot of money….I must stage the play The Count of Montecristo promptly. The Autran play would then be stifled between the Red House and The Count of Montecristo. Write to Autran and tell him that La Fille d´Eschyle will be played after The Count of Montecristo.´ further stating `It will be more honourable for La Fille d´Eschyle to be played after The Count of Montecristo than before, as if it was played only waiting for the masterpiece.´ Dumas concludes with a request `There are at this year´s exhibition in Marseille two pictures belonging to me, one Hamlet and one Madeleine by Delacroix. Try to send them back.´ With integral address in Dumas´ hand. VG £100-150 Joseph Autran (1813-1877) French Poet and Playwright, a close friend of Alexandre Dumas. La Fille d'Eschyle (1848) was his most important play.
DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895) French Author and Dramatist. A.L.S., A Dumas, four pages, 8vo, Dieppe, 13th August 1873, to Joseph Autran, in French. Dumas explains to his correspondent the reasons why he has been so late in responding to his kind invitation, `I was in Orleans at Mr. Dupanloup´s home when your first letter arrived. He is a man of very high spirit and great soul. It would be good that all those in charge of talking about God on earth would be like him.´ Dumas further accepts the invitation, but without his wife and daughter who needs to study during the summer, stating `You might think that we could all visit you and that she could also study in the countryside with her mother, but this would simply prove that you don´t know Mrs Dumas who, being Russian, as oriental ice woman, is incapable of considering such a number of thoughts to order and act according to them..´ Accompanied by the original 12mo envelope hand addressed by Dumas. VG £100-150 Joseph Autran (1813-1877) French Poet and Playwright, a close friend of Alexandre Dumas. Félix Antoine Dupanloup (1802-1878) French Ecclesiastic, Bishop of Orleans 1849-78.
DUPLESSIS MARIE: (1824-1847) French Courtesan and mistress to a number of prominent men. She was the inspiration for Marguerite Gautier the main character of La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils , one of Duplessis' lovers, which inspired Violetta of Verdi´s opera La Traviatta. Extremely rare A.N.S., `Bon pour deux cents francs - Marie Duplessis´, one page, oblong 12mo, Paris, 30th October 1845, in French. The document is a bill of exchange by which Duplessis gets obliged to pay `End of January 1847 I will pay to Monsieur L. Cerf or to his order the amount of two hundred francs, value received in goods´. Duplessis writes above her signature `Voucher for two hundred francs´. Two stamps validating the document, one blind embossed, both to the front. To the verso Cerf discharges Duplessis of her debt. Documents in any form signed by Duplessis are extremely rare following her death at the early age of 23. Irregularly trimmed, with some light overall age wear and with few very small holes, one affecting only the first letter of the name. G £1000-1200 Marie Duplessis gets obliged to pay her debt end of January 1847, and will die 3rd February of tuberculosis. Within a few weeks of her death, her belongings were auctioned off to pay her debts.
ESPINA CONCHA: (1869-1955) Spanish Writer and Poet. Three times candidate to the Nobel Prize in literature, and first national Prize in literature. 1897-1981)A.Q.S., Concha Espina, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d., to H.M. The Queen, in Spanish. The document being an hymn `To the days of Her Majesty the Queen Governant´, written in verses, sixteen verses in total, with choir voice and solo, states in part `Hymn of love to the loveliness reigning,… She could escape from cruel scythe time, and ignore the snow winter blow, Flourish always in her loyal Spain, the noble Rose…´ With blank integral leaf. Together with Jose Maria Peman (1897-1981) Spanish Writer. T.L.S., Jose M. Peman, one page, oblong 4to, Cadiz, 8th October 1938, to Jose Tous, on the printed stationery of the Royal Academy of Spain, in Spanish. Peman explains to his correspondent `I am secluded in my countryside home, working on a History of Spain for children and to be teached in schools, as I have been asked to by the Minister of Education..´. The quote bears a top left corner paper loss not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG, 2 £80-100
[FRANCE]: Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous French Writers and Artists, each one page, folio, various places and dates, including, Franc-Nohain (1872-1934) Librettist and Poet, best known for his libretto for Maurice Ravel ̍s opera L ̍Heure espagnole; Bernard Naudin (1876-1946) Writer; Denys Puech (1854-1942) Sculptor; Gaston de Pawlowski (1874-1933) Writer; Charles Maurras (1868-1952) Author, Poet, and Critic, leader and principal thinker of Action Française. Maurra ̍s ideas greatly influenced National Catholicism and “Integral Nationalism”; Pierre Mac Orlan (1882-1970) Novelist and Songwriter; Paul Morand (1888-1976) Author stating, in full, ´Peace is one of the most happy modern inventions´; Gustave Kahn Metz (1859-1936) Symbolist Poet and Art Critic. He claimed to have invented the term “free verse”; Pierre-Paul (1878-1973) Painter and Sculptor; Georges Adolphe Hüe (1858-1948) Composer of Classical Music; Albert Guillaume (1873-1942) Painter and Caricaturist, stating, ´I suggest to unbaptize the war Ministry and to call it from now on the Minister of Peace´; Paul Géraldy (1885-1983) Poet and Playwright; Gustave Guiches (1860-1935) Novelist and playwright; Fernand Gregh (1873-1960) Critic and Poet; Eugène Figuière (1882-1944) Poet and Witer; Edmond Fleg (1874-1963) Writer and Novelist, Pierre Frondaie (1884-1948) Poet, Novelist, and Playwright; Léon Eugène Frapié (1863-1949) Novelist; Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931) Impressionist Painter and Lithographer; Maurice de Féraudy (1859-1932) Songwriter and Actor; Paul Féval (1860-1933) Adventurer & Novelist; Auguste Dorchain (1857-1930) Writer and Poet; Maurice Dekobra (1885-1973) French Writer, a subversive writer in the 20s and 30s, who became one of the best-known French writers between the First and the Second World Wars. Stating, in full, ´Woolfs do not eat each other, so says the Nations wisdom. Men, more cruel than woolfs, kill their fellow…When will Mankind get the woolf´s wisdom?´; Maurice Constantin-Weyer (1881-1964) Writer, states in full ´Long life to Peace!.. Yes, But take care with War!´; Guy Chantepleure (1870-1951) Writer; Georges Courteline (1858-1929) Dramatist and Novelist; Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942) Italian and French Poster art Designer; Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) Sculptor, Sainter, and Teacher; Binet-Valmer (1875-1940) Novelist and Journalist; Dominique Bonnaud (1864-1943) Poet; René Benjamin (1985-1948) Writer and Journalist; etc.. Generally VG, 33 £100-150 The statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others.
SIMENON GEORGES: (1903-1989) Belgian Writer. Best known as the creator of the fictional detective Jules Maigret. T.L.S., Simenon, in red ink, one page, 4to, Nieul sur Mer, 3rd February 1939, to an editor, in French. Simenon informs his correspondent about his decision stating `I have sent my resignation as member of the Society of Literary People. We will not have to go through this organization any more to reproduce my novels. However, the rate will remain same, the only difference being that you will only have to deal directly with me.´ Simenon further supplies his address and phone and adds `I remind you that as a general rule, unless we reach a special agreement, is that my novels cannot be reproduced until two years have pass since their first appearance in bookshops´. A good content letter. VG. £150-200
SHMELYOV IVAN: (1873-1950) Russian Writer, a member of the Moscow literary group Sreda. Autograph Statement signed, Ivan Chmelov, one page, folio, Sèvres, 12th March 1930, in French. Bearing to the upper part of the document three written questions addressed to the writer in another hand asking about his starting as writer, about his way of making money and finally `which one of your works made you known to readers and which one do you consider your masterpiece?´. Shmelyov responds beneath to the three questions, and states in full responding to the last question `My novel Garçon!..(“Garçon de restaurant”) in Russia. In Europe “The Sun of the Dead”.´ And concludes answering about his masterpiece `None!´. VG £150-200 Garçon de Restaurant (1911) was Shmelyov´s first successful novel, making him famous in Russia. Solntse mertvykh (1923) translated as The Sun of the Dead in 1927 was one of Shmelyov´s most important works written in exile.
CHESS: A First Day Cover issued to commemorate the World Chess Championship at Baguio City, Philippines, 17th July 1978, individually signed by Anatoly Karpov (1951- ) Russian Chess Grandmaster, World Champion 1975-85 and Viktor Korchnoi (1931- ) Russian Chess Grandmaster. Signed by both in blue inks with their names alone to clear areas. Bearing two identical postage stamps issued for the World Chess Championship match between the two players and post marked at Baguio City, 17th July 1978. VG £100-150
KARPOV ANATOLY: (1951- ) Russian Chess Grandmaster, World Champion 1975-85. Signed First Day Cover issued to commemorate the 20th Chess Olympiad at Skopje, Yugoslavia in 1972 and featuring an attractive colour design with Cyrillic text. Signed by Karpov in black ink with his name alone to a clear area. Bearing a postage stamp featuring a colour image of Karpov and post marked 15th March 1996. EX. £80-100 Anatoly Karpov represented the Soviet Union at six Chess Olympiads, including Skopje in 1972, the USSR winning the gold medal on each occasion.
KASPAROV GARRY: (1963- ) Russian Chess Grandmaster, World Champion 1985-2000. Signed First Day Cover issued to commemorate the World Championship Chess match between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov in Moscow in 1985 and featuring an attractive colour design with Cyrillic text. Signed by Kasparov in blue ink with his name alone to a clear area. Bearing a postage stamp featuring a colour image of Kasparov. VG. £80-100 Garry Kasparov became the youngest ever World Chess Champion, at the age of 22, when he beat Anatoly Karpov 13-11 in the World Chess Championship match in Moscow, 1985.
HESING: Also known as Xi Cheng. Mandarin who travelled in the Keying, first Chinese junk to ever sail from Hong Kong to New York and further to London. Signed 8vo portrait drawing of Hesing. Signed (`Hesing´) in bold black ink at the foot beneath his portrait, also adding the junk name `Keying´ and `Brooks´ to the head, all with their equivalent Chinese characters beneath. The drawing bears to the upper corner a red ink stamp with Chinese characters, being the seal of Prince Hui Rui. The document has been affixed to a slightly larger card. Few stains not affecting the signatures. Small folding and creasing. Together with a colourful visiting card, with Hesing signature, beneath his name in Chinese characters and alongside a Chinese ink red stamp, being the seal of Prince Hui Rui. The card has been affixed to a slightly larger card with a typed annotation `Signature of a Chinaman written on board the Chinese junk at Blackwall, June 20th, 1848.´. With heavy folding. F to G, 2 £100-120 The Keying was a three-masted Chinese trading junk that sailed from Hong Kong in December 1846 with a mixed crew of Chinese and British sailors. The vessel had been purchased surreptitiously by a conglomerate of enterprising English businessmen. It was placed under the command of Captain Kellett with the intention of carrying curiosities and merchandise to England and thereafter serving as a kind of floating museum. The Chinese crew members that they were embarking on such an extended journey were not aware of such plans. The Keying arrived in New York City on July 9, 1847, creating a sensation, with seven thousand visitors per day. In late March 1848, the Keying arrived in London to great fanfare, and several different medals were struck to commemorate its appearance, including one that had a bust of Madarin Hesing. It was visited by the Queen Victoria, whose right to be the first European woman to visit it was reserved, The Duke of Wellington and Charles Dickens. It has been suggested that the Chinese Emperor was aware of the project from the start and secretly kept informed about it, and that the mandarin served as an informer to report back in detail.
PASSY FREDERIC: (1822-1912) French Economist. The First Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1901. A.L.S., Frederic Passy, four pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to a Journalist, in French. Passy asks his correspondent to kindly publish in his newspaper his thanks to all the people he needs to thanks and can´t. He further refers to his recent and very serious traffic accident and describes it accurately, stating in part `…The sudden shock was so violent that I wasn´t even conscious; the loss of conscience was absolute and instantaneous.´, and explains step by step which ones are the medical recommendations in such scenarios, `When someone loses conscience because of a syncope, the first thing to do is to extend his body, and that his head is at the same level as his feet, to allow blood to return to the brain…..´ A letter of interesting content. Small tear to the edge, and another one to the fourth page professionally repaired, none affecting the text or signature. G £100-150
OSWALD LEE HARVEY: (1939-1963) Sniper accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy on 22nd November 1963. Oswald was shot to death two days later, while under arrest, by Jack Ruby. A.L.S., xxxLee, to the verso of a postcard, Minsk, Russia, 10th May 1962, to his brother Robert Oswald, at Fort Worth, Texas. The postcard bearing also a second signature, Oswald, in Cyrillic, at the end of Oswald´s return address, in Cyrillic. To the front the card showing a colourful illustration , honouring 1st May Day, depicting musicians and dancers in native costumes. Oswald states in full `Well, nothing new to report on our move. We are just waiting for the Embassy to finish up their paper work. They are very slow. June is getting real big and cute she's almost 3 months old now. Marina says (truncated) 'Hello' and we are all well. See you soon.´ Three Soviet stamps postmarked, Minsk. 11th May 1962. Very small creasing to corners, otherwise VG £3000-4000 The present document was included in the Warren Commission as exhibit nº 321, and pictured on page 885 of volume XVI of the Warren Commission Hearings. Ruby Jack (1911-1967) Night club Operator in Dallas. On 24th November 1963, Ruby shot Oswald. First sentenced to death, and later obtaining a new trial after appealing. June Marina Oswald, Lee Harvey´s daughter, was born 15th February 1962. Coincidently, on the day Oswald wrote this postcard, May 10, 1962, Joseph P. Norbury, American Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, wrote Oswald, in part, `I am pleased to inform you that the Embassy is now in a position to take final action on your wife's visa application. Therefore, you and your wife are invited to come to the Embassy at your convenience…´ 24 days later, they left Russia for America. Provenance, from the collection of Dr. John K. Lattimer (1914-2007). The family of President John F. Kennedy chose Dr. Lattimer to be the first nongovernmental medical specialist to review evidence in Kennedy's assassination.
HUMBOLDT ALEXANDER: (1769-1859) Prussian Geographer, Naturalist and Explorer. A good A.L.S., Mr. de Humboldt, in the third person, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to the "Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres", in French. The geographer writes, in full, `Mr. de Humboldt has the honour of offering to the Academy of Inscriptions and Fine Letters the second edition of Nalus which Mr. Bopp, Professor of Sanskrit at the Berlin University, has just published.´ VG. £150-200 Franz Bopp (1791-1867) German Philologist. The second edition Humboldt refers to was published in Berlin 1830-32, the first edition having been published in London in 1819.
BONPLAND AIMÉ: (1773-1858) French Explorer and Botanist. Bonpland travelled with Von Humboldt for five years during his explorations of South and Central America. L.S., Amado Bonpland to the heading, one page, 4to, n.p. [Montevideo], n.d., to Dr. Fredericks, in Spanish. Bonpland writes to his correspondent, who is travelling to New York, and asks him to send information about several matters that he lists, `When you are in New York, I would be grateful to you to find out first of all what the prices are for wool… add to what has been indicated the import costs. 2. I very much desire to obtain carding equipment for wool....Everyone assures me that carders like those used to card cotton exist, but up to today, I have not been able to see even one….´, and further concludes `If I am able to continue my speculation in merinos, as I hope, I will have a large amount of wool available, and I will get carders for the coarse cloth, blankets, etc.. used in this country.´ With central fold professionally repaired and infilled with no loss of text. G £1000-1500 Charles DeForest Fredricks (1823-1894) American Photographer .
DU CHAILLU PAUL: (1831-1903) French-American Traveller, Zoologist, and Anthropologist. First modern European outsider to confirm the existence of gorillas, and later the Pygmy of central Africa. A.L.S., P.B. Du Chaillu, one page, 8vo, London, 13th July 1861, to Wesley Bennet. Du Chaillu responds to his correspondent letter and states in full `I have received your very kind note. I can only assure you that I do not consider myself above my fellowmen.´ With blank integral leaf and traces of having been previously affixed to the verso of last page. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Du Chaillu, laid down to a larger card. VG. £80-100
NANSEN FRIDTJOF: (1861-1930) Norwegian Explorer and Scientist. Nobel Peace Prize in 1922. Former champion Skier he led the team that made the first skiing crossing of the Greenland interior in 1888, and won international fame after reaching a record northern latitude during his North Pole expedition . His techniques of polar travel and his innovations influenced a generation of subsequent Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. T.L.S., Fridtjof Nansen, one page, 4to, Godthaab, Greenland, 30th November 1896, to Herbert Draper. Nansen declines an invitation from the Skinner´s Company to attend a conference and give a speech on his return from his last Fram expedition to reach the North Pole, and regrets not being available because of previous engagements. Small overall age wear, with two tears to the edges and very small trace of previous binding to the left edge not affecting the text or signature. VG. £150-200
EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. Typed Envelope, unsigned, annotated in Einstein's hand, the oblong 8vo manila envelope bearing the typed name and address of the recipient, Walter Knasmuller in Germany, and bearing an affixed printed postage cancellation dated at Princeton, New Jersey, 4th February 1953. Annotated in dark fountain pen ink by Einstein with the words 'First Class!' to the recto and with his return address, '112 Mercer St. Princeton N.J. U.S.A.', to the verso. Accompanied by an unsigned paperback edition of The Universe and Doctor Einstein by Lincoln Barnett (German text edition published by Fischer Bucherei, 1952), seemingly being the original enclosure of the envelope. Some light overall age wear, creases and some tears to the edges of the envelope, close to, but not affecting Einstein's holograph text. FR, 2. £150-200 Lincoln Barnett (1909-1979) American Editor and Author, most notably of Life magazine. Barnett wrote a number of books including The Universe and Doctor Einstein, regarded as a layman's introduction to the theory of relativity and featuring a foreword by Einstein.
RYLE MARTIN: (1918-1984) English Astronomer. He developed revolutionary radio telescope and was first to observe most distant galaxies in his time. Astronomer Royal, and Nobel Prize for Physics in 1974, being the first Nobel for astronomical research. A fine T.L.S., Martin Ryle, one page, folio, Cambridge, 12th May 1975, to Mr. Godward. Ryle responds to his correspondent´s question on the printed stationery of the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Canedish Laboratory, Cambridge, and states `…Yes. - I think it is very probable that there are planets of other stars which may have physical conditions suitable for the development of life, and on some of these life may well have developed. At the same time the chance of one being near enough to us for communication to be possible must be rather small.´ and continues `What I meant in the letter to the Times by “stellar distance” is an approximate figure for the distance of the pulsars - i.e. much greater than the dimensions of the Solar System, but still much less than the dimensions of the Galaxy. The nearest stars are a few light-years away, - corresponding to a distance of about 50 million million miles.´ A very interesting content letter. Accompanied by the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory leaflet describing the observatory. Together with an A.L.S., by Ryle´s wife, responding to Miss Walton that her husband is very occupied and cannot reply to her, adding `He would get no work done on Radio Astronomy, or Nuclear or Alternative Energy, if he spent his time replying….He does like simplicity..´. EX, 3 £100-150
NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS: An excellent multiple signed First Day Cover by ten Nobel Prize winners for Chemistry individually comprising Harold C. Urey (1893-1981, American Physical Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1934), Linus Pauling (1901-1994, American Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1954, and later Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1962), Frederick Sanger (1918-2013, British Biochemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1958 & 1980), Willard Libby (1908-1980, American Physical Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1960), Max Perutz (1914-2002) Austrian-born British Molecular Biologist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1962), John Kendrew (1917-1997, English Biochemist & Crystallographer, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1962), Ronald Norrish (1897-1978, British Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1967), Lars Onsager (1903-1976, Norwegian-born American Physical Chemist and Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1968), Gerhard Herzberg (1904-1999, German-Canadian Physicist and Physical Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1971) and Christian Anfinsen (1916-1995, American Biochemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1972). The First Day Cover features a design and printed text commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences, 1863-1963, and is post marked at Washington DC, 14th October 1963. Each of the Nobel Prize winners have signed the cover in bold blue or black inks with their names alone to clear areas. A rare combination of signatures. About EX £200-300
NICOLLE CHARLES: (1866-1936) French Bacteriologist. Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discoveries on typhus in 1928. A lengthy A.L.S., C Nicolle, to the verso of two postcards, Tunis, 24th December 1912, to a friend, in French. In his habitual small writing Nicolle refers to different matters and states `Ten years have passed today since I saw for the first time the Tunis sky. It looks like it was only yesterday...I have the feeling that I have well employed my ten years time.´, further referring to his scientific typhus researches `The method process which worked so badly in your narrow city, has on the other side provided me complete victories. The way of transmission of typhus, the one of recurrent fever found..´. Nicolle concludes inviting his colleague to visit him and remarking that he will recognize him `Excepting an increase in the diminution of my hearing, even less hair and more wrinkles, I haven´t changed much.´ To the postcard covers a Tunisian city painting and a sculpted statue. A letter of good content. One creasing corner to one of the postcards, otherwise VG. £200-300
HEYMANS CORNEILLE: (1892-1968) Flemish Physiologist. Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, 1938. A.L.S., C Heymans, one page, 4to, Gand, 18th November 1964, in German, French and English. On the printed stationery of "J.F & Heymans Farmakologish & Terapeutisch Instituut" Heymans reproduces three science thoughts, by Goethe, Bernard and Hopkins in their own languages. Heymans proclaims `The History of Science is the Science itself (Goethe)´, further with `Experimentation must question, escape from ideas, and always keep its spiritual freedom (Claude Bernard)´, and concludes with `All dogmatic teaching about any aspect of the phenomenon of life is apt to be checked by the ultimate discovery that the living cell is before all things a heretic (Frederick Gowland Hopkins).´ Heymans adds beneath his signature `Prix Nobel 1938`, in his hand. VG. £150-200 Johann von Goethe (1749-1832) German Writer and Statesman. Claude Bernard (1813-1878) French Physiologist, first to suggest the use of blind experiments to ensure the objectivity of scientific observations. Frederick Gowland Hopkins (1861-1947) English Biochemist, awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1929 for the discovery of vitamins.
DOISY EDWARD: (1893-1986) American Biochemist, Nobel Prize winner for Physiology or Medicine, 1943. T.L.S., E A Doisy, one page, 4to, Saint Louis, Missouri, 31st March 1959, to Robert M. Ancell. Doisy replies to his correspondent's letter and informs him, 'Theelin was the first pure crystalline steroid hormone to be isolated. It was obtained in this form from the urine of pregnant women in 1929. Subsequently, dihydrotheelin was obtained from the liquor folliculi in sow's ovaries in 1934. Although theelin was not isolated from sow ovaries very definitive evidence of its presence was obtained' before concluding 'The names in common use at present for theelin and dihydrotheelin are estrone and estradiol-17B, respectively'. A letter of good scientific content. About EX. £100-150
WATT JAMES: (1736-1819) Scottish Inventor & Mechanical Engineer. An interesting D.S., James Watt, four pages, folio, Heathfield, near Birmingham, 23rd July 1795. The manuscript document is the ‘Proposed Description for Mr Buc[hanan’s] Specification in the event of his obtaining H[is] Majestys Letters Patent for a Pump up[on] an Improved Construction…’ and describes in detail the uses and construction of the pump, in part, ‘This Pump like the common Pump acts by the pressure of the Atmosphere, but differs from it in….essential particulars which constitute its excellence….The Water is discharged from this Pump….by means of a valve….which is situated in the side….[com]municating with the Cistern….These valves need not be confined to any….dimensions and are placed in an inclined posi[tion] by wh[ich] means gravel dirt or other things are prevented from lodg[ing] in the Pump….This Pump may be occasionally used as an….for extinguishing fire….These are the excellencies which distinguish this Pump but the following instructions in regard to construction will more fully explain its nature….This Pump in its body and parts may be made of Wood, Copper, Cast Iron, or any other Metal or Material suited….The Valves best suited to the purposes of this Pump are of the kind called Clack Valves….because it has been found that where the apertures are of this shape the Valves have less Water at each shutting than when the apertures are of a circular form. The Valves may be made of any metal but Brass is recommended as least apt to rust - a flat piece of leather is fixed on the under part of the lid, having a piece of cork interposed between the leather and the lid to render it more elastic. The lid of each of the Valves turns upon two pivots, which have freedom in their Sockets to rise a little upwards that any small substance which happens to intervene near the hinge may not prevent any part of the lid from lying close to the Box. The Bore of the lower or suction Pipe may be made of any shape…For the purpose of allowing a more easy passage to the water and for the better discharge of oblong pieces of wood and other things which may be brought up along with the water, the Bore of the suction or lower pipe should receive a bended or curved form as it approaches the Inner Valve so as to make its ultimate direction nearly at right angles to the inclined position of the Water Valves….’ , and continuing to give the particulars of outer valves, pistons, brass lined barrels etc., and concluding ‘Motion may be given to this machine by means of the Common Brakes, or by what are commonly called Ball ropes, or by ropes led horizontally from a bended lever, or by any other method practiced in working the Common Pump, which it resembles excepting in the particulars above stated. In order to render this Pump occasionally useful as an Engine for the purpose of extinguishing fire it is only necessary to make the Piston air tight in descending as well as in ascending, and to fix an air Vessel communicating with Pipes made of Leather or any other material over the Cistern’. At the conclusion of Buchanan’s text Watt has added a holograph statement, in full, ‘This draft of Mr. Buchanan’s specifications laid before me and referred to in my opinion of this date’, signing his name and adding the place and date in his hand immediately beneath. A further statement appears beneath Watt’s, signed by a Nicholas Smith, and stating, in full, ‘This paper writing was produced and shewn to Roobertson Buchanan and is the same mentioned and referred to in his Affidavit sworn this 25 day of July 1795 before me’. Together with an associated D.S., Roberston Buchan[an], one page, folio, Public Office, Symonds Inn, 25th July 1795. The manuscript document states, in part, ‘Robertson Buchanan Engineer, and….Manager of the Cotton Mills or Rothsay Island of Bute in that part of Great Britain called Scotland Maketh Oath & Sayeth [that the] annexed Description is that which he…will allude…Specification of a Pump invented by him [in the] event of his obtaining His Majestys Letter[s Patent] for the sole use, benefit & advantage of [the] Invention’. Countersigned by Nicholas Smith as a witness. With integral leaf. A rare document of good content relating to an early example of a fire extinguisher. Each of the documents have been professionally and expertly repaired at the margins where originally heavily damp stained (some purple spotting still evident) and suffering from paper loss (affecting some words of text). Watt’s own bold ink signature and holograph statement are, however, largely unaffected and remain entirely legible. About G £1500-2000 Robertson Buchanan (1770-1816) Scottish Civil Engineer whose interests spread from mill machinery to pumps (as illustrated by the present document) and heating. As well as being involved in bridge construction, in 1811 Buchanan worked on an early railway proposal in Scotland. The first fire extinguisher of which there is any record was patented in England in 1723 by Ambrose Godfrey, a celebrated chemist of the time, and the modern fire extinguisher was invented by Captain George William Manby in 1818. Buchanan’s own suggestions for a fire extinguisher, based on a Pump, as outlined in the present document, falls in between these two dates.
SAUNDERS WILLIAM: (1743-1817) Scottish Physician. A.L.S., Wm Saunders, two pages, 4to, London, dated in his hand 15th May 1816, to Monsieur Le Chevalier [Antoine] Portal. Saunders commences 'The high reputation which you have so justly acquired by your various and useful publications, and the very handsome manner in which you have made mention of my work on the Diseases of the Liver, have induced me to write to you by the present opportunity' and continues 'Doctor Tupper who is the bearer of this letter is well known to many of the first medical characters in London and I beg leave to introduce him to your notice. I have given him a copy of my book on mineral waters of which I request your acceptance', further concluding 'Doctor Tupper has expressed to me his desire of having the honour to become a member of the school of medicine in Paris. He will be proud of your interest on the occasion and I have no doubt you will find him worthy of that honourable distinction'. With integral address leaf (small area of paper loss to one corner) bearing a small red wax seal. A few minor, neat splits at the edges of a couple of folds, otherwise VGBaron Antoine Portal (1742-1832) French Anatomist, Doctor and Medical Historian. £200-300
SCARPA ANTONIO: (1752-1832) Italian Anatomist. Scarpa published a number of medical treatises widely respected. An interesting A.L.S., Scarpa, two pages, 4to, Pavia, 20th May 1799, to Dr. Morigi, in Italian. Scarpa writes to his colleague and states `Today is the first day I get up from bed after eight consecutive days with constant fever which have brought me to an extreme weakness. Spring changes my health, and the changes of weather of this year have been terrible for me. So I have not been able to enjoy our liberation because of my illness. Each time I think in the way the war has changed, everything seems a dream to me, a prodigy. Even the winners are amazed with such change…´ further saying `Germans don´t seem to be the same as they used to, with their determination and bravery. There was a huge cannon war shot, it was ours one, but now I think they will regret having made such damages to French, because if all goes well, which I hope will, in a few days-time the news will reach France. The Imperial Kingdoms have been occupied by the German..´ After reporting about war situation in Pavia, Scarpa makes very interesting scientific comments, stating `Two weeks ago I made two surgeries with the new medical needle in presence of all my students. I could learn all the advantages I was expecting about it, and both surgeries ended successfully, and the fact that the patients are walking up and down in the hospital confirms this.´ and continues reporting about the manufacture of such medical needles and their high cost, referring to other similar projects, like an English one with a needle with curve end, stating `You will notice on the drawing that the curve end of this needle is more accentuated than the one done by Bell´. Scarpa further on describes an aneurysm surgery he has recently performed with graft and ligature of the femoral artery. A very interesting content letter with historical and scientific information. With blank address leaf bearing a hole as a result of the removing of the seal. Some overall creasing, otherwise VG. £800-1200 A few years after, in 1805, when Napoleon was made King of Italy, he visited Pavia and inquired about Doctor Scarpa. As an act of homage to the great scientist, although questionable, the head of Scarpa was removed and exhibited in the Institute of Anatomy, and is still exhibited at the Museo per la storia dell'Università di Pavia.
GREGORY JAMES: (1753-1821) Scottish Physician, Doctor in Medicine and President of the Royal college of Physicians of Edinburgh. A.L.S., Jacobus Gregory Domino Portal, I.P.D´, at the head, one page, 4to, Edinburgh, July 1816, to an unknown friend, in Latin. The letter states `My elder son, young, tall, nineteen years old, is on his way to France (Galia), and Switzerland (Helvetia), and might go to Germany and Belgium. I have given him these letters and instructed him that as he will first arrive to Paris, that he visits you and your relatives, and that he gives you with my own words, my best regards. I trust you and esteem you and your support, after fourty two years..´. With blank integral leaf. One tear to the fold of right edge and small creasing to the same border, otherwise VG £250-350 John Gregory (1797-1869) Elder son of James Gregory. Gregory is mostly remembered for the “Gregory´s powder, a mixture of pulverized rhubarb, ginger and magnesia, prescribed as a laxative.
BAILLIE MATTHEW: (1761-1823) Scottish-born Physician and Pathologist. A.L.S., M Baillie, two pages, 4to, London, 8th February 1814, to [Antoine Portal]. Baillie states that he is flattered to have received his correspondent's letter and treatise 'as a testimony of approbation from one of the most celebrated Anatomists and Physicians in Europe' and continues 'I have been for many years acquainted with your high reputation and have read some of your excellent works with instruction - I had not seen however your admirable work, Cours d'Anatomie Medicale till lately and therefore I have not been able to derive advantage from it, in publishing the last edition of my Treatise upon Morbid Anatomy - should this book ever come to another Edition, I shall not fail to take advantage of so ample a source of information'. With blank integral leaf. VGBaron Antoine Portal (1742-1832) French Anatomist, Doctor and Medical Historian.Baillie's The Morbid Anatomy of Some of the Most Important Parts of the Human Body (1793) is considered the first systematic study of pathology, and the first publication in English on pathology as a separate subject. £200-300
KOCHER EMIL THEODOR: (1841-1917) Swiss Physician and medical Researcher. Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1909 for his work in the surgery of the thyroid. First Swiss citizen and first Surgeon to ever receive a Nobel prize. A.L.S., Kocher, two pages, small 8vo, Bern, 17th August 1888, to a colleague, on his printed stationery, in German. The letter contains Kocher´s medical tips regarding his colleague´s patient. Kocher is not sure if the symptoms described by his correspondent is cancer or not and states `I can´t consider the swelling as cancer now, although cancer often results from swellings like this. If so, the surgery will be too late´. Kocher hopes that the patient will recover and gives further medication advice `0,2 Iodine-potash´, and recommends Aachen (Aix-La-Chapelle) for convalescence therapy. VG. £250-350
KOVALEVSKAYA SOFIA: (1850-1891) Also known as Sonya Kowalevski. Russian Mathematician and Writer. First woman appointed to a full professorship in Northern Europe. Known for her important contributions to differential equations. A very fine A.L.S., Sophie Kowalevski, two pages, written on the first and third leaves, Kristiania (Oslo), 13th July 1886, to Mr. Bertrand, on her embossed colourful monogramme stationery, bearing an attractive `S´, in French. Sofia Kovalevskaya thanks her correspondent for his welcome and his kindness during her stay in Paris, and states `Believe me when I say that I have been deeply touched, more than I could express with words, and I will always keep a precious remembrance for the rest of my life.´ further explains that she is just back to Kristiania and continues `I joined the congress close to its conclusion, but my wise colleagues warmly welcomed me. M. Broch is also here…..Tomorrow I will start a little trip around Norway together with some friends, but I didn´t want to wait till my arrival to Stockholm to write you and thank you.´ A rare autograph document, following her early death at the age of 41. Small tears to the fold edges not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG. £250-350 Joseph Bertrand (1822-1900) French Mathematician. Ole Jacob Broch (1818-1889) Norwegian Mathematician, Physician and Politician
HANSKY ALEXIS: (1870-1908) Russian Astronomer. A.L.S., A. Hansky, one page, 8vo, Pulkovo, 13th August 1902, to [Louis Olivier], in French. Hansky states in part `I have received the print of the first part of my article and I am revising it right now. In two or 3 days I will send you the second half of this article together with the photographs tests.´ With blank integral leaf. Autographs of Hansky are scarce after his death at the early age of 38. VG £150-200 Asteroid 1118 Hanskya, discovered in 1927, was named in his honour.
CARREL ALEXIS: (1873-1944) French Surgeon and Biologist. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1912. Carrel invented the first perfusion pump , opening the way to organ transplantation. T.L.S., A. Carrel, one page, 4to, Paris, 15th April 1940, to Doctor T. Malachowski, in French. Carrel explains to his correspondent that he made a mistake sending a letter to him to a different correspondent, and states `I will not be able, unfortunately, to attend your invitation to dinner at the Military Circle, as I will be most probably on my way to the United States..´. EX £100-120
WARBURG OTTO HEINRICH: (1883-1970) German Physiologist. Nobel Prize in Physiology, 1931, and nominated for the award 47 times. Considered a leading Biochemist. Warburg served as officer in the elite Uhlan cavalry during WWI and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class. A.N.S., O.W., one page, to a postcard, Berlin, 9th March 1938, to Professor Reinhard Dohrn, in German. Warburg writes a four lines note to his colleague stating in full `Dear Dohrn, the octopus blood has arrived today in perfect conditions. Thank you very much.´ To the front of the postcard bearing the King Wilhelm Institut of Cellphysiology of Berlin. Some overall age wear, otherwise VG. £150-200 Reinhard Dohrn (1880-1962) German Zoologist, son of Anton Dohrn (1840-1909) prominent German Darwinist and founder of the first zoological research station in the world
CIERVA JUAN DE LA: (1895-1936) Spanish Aeronautical Engineer. Inventor of the “Autogiro”, the world's first successful flight of a rotary-wing aircraft . An original 4to pen and ink drawing by the German-Swiss artist Robert Kastor, the well executed work depicting De la Cierva in a head and shoulders pose. Signed by the Spanish inventor `J. de la Cierva´ and dated Madrid, July 1921 in his hand. VG, £80-100. De la Cierva’s work on rotor dynamics made possible the modern helicopter. Autogiros were built in many countries under his licenses, including France, Germany, Japan, Russia and USA. The understanding that he established is applicable to all rotor-winged aircraft. De La Cierva died in an airplane crash.
FLORY PAUL: (1910-1985) American Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1974. T.L.S., P J Flory, one page, 4to, Ithaca, New York, 10th June 1954, to Henri Corbiere, on the printed stationery of Cornell University. Flory responds to his correspondent's letter and states 'I find your first query most difficult to answer. I am unable to recall having made a "debut" at any particular stage. Moreover, while some of my earlier efforts seemed difficult at the time, I do not know that this was out of the ordinary' and continues 'Since my student days I have supported myself and family from income earned through scientific work. I suppose that the series of investigations on the theory of molecular distributions and the series on thermodynamics of polymer solutions are best known. I would myself be inclined to favor the former', further writing 'If you will accept a maxim in a somewhat facetious vein, let me offer the following: never let formal duties supercede self-assigned tasks of greater interest or importance'. A letter of interesting content relating to Flory's career. A couple of minor ink annotations in the hand of the recipient, largely to the lower left corner, none of which affect the text or signature, otherwise VG £200-300
TISSANDIER GASTON: (1843-1899) French Chemist, Meteorologist and Aviator. Creator of the first electric-powered airship. During the Franco-Prussian War, Tissandier managed to leave the besieged Paris by balloon. A.L.S., Gaston Tissandier, one page, 8vo, Paris, 9th February 1884, to [Hector] Giacomelli, in French. Tissandier refers to pieces of engraved wood he used for his illustrations and works, stating `I have received your wood which is delightful and represents the freshness of Spring and the lightness of the swallows´, further referring to other works and engravings. With blank integral leaf. A corner crease and edges slightly irregular. VG £150-200 Hector Giacomelli (1822-1904) French Engraver and Illustrator, best known for his paintings of birds.
ADER CLEMENT: (1841-1925) Fren Engineer and Inventor. Known for his pioneering works in aviation. A.L.S., Ader, one page, 8vo, Muret, Haute Garonne, 10th June 1921, to Jacques Mortane, on his printed stationery, in French. Ader states `I have just written a letter to Mr. Briand regarding the mediocre situation of the Aviation at today´s date and I enclose a copy to you. If you publish it on “La vie au Grand Air” on your next issue, you will render a big service to your country. All aviators and myself will be much obliged to you.` A good content letter. With blank integral leaf. The letter bears a light red ink stamp, dated 13th June 192, over part of the text and not the signature, although the whole remaining perfectly legible. About VG £500-800 La Vie au Grand Air was a weekly magazine which was published first time in April 1898. After WWI it was printed every three months, and ended in April 1922.
VÉDRINES JULES: (1881-1919) French Pioneer Aviator, the first to fly at more than 100 mph. Winner of the Gordon Bennett Trophy race, 1912. Rare vintage signed postcard photograph, showing Vedrines in a head and shoulders pose on a Morane monoplane. Signed (`J. Vedrines´), in bold fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image. Autographs of Vedrines are rare as a result of his untimely death at the age of 37 in an air crash. VG £120-150
ASSOLANT JEAN: (1905-1942) & LOTTI ARMAND (1897-1993) Pioneers French Aviators, and crew members of the first successful French aerial crossing of the North Atlantic . D.S., Jean Assolant, A.Lotti, four pages, small 8vo, Paris, 20th June 1929, in French. The document being a printed menu offered to the pilots to celebrate their triumphal return to Bourget after crossing the North Atlantic. Signed by both in bold black ink, with their names alone, to the back of the menu, only four days after their feat. Accompanied by a postcard unsigned photograph, the image depicting French aviators Lotti, Assolant and Lefevre, standing in a half length pose. VG £100-150 Assolant, Lotti and René Lefevre (1903-1972) onboard the Oiseau Canari ("Canary Bird"), performed the first successful French aerial crossing of the North Atlantic on 13th June 1929, and established a new longest distance record over an ocean.
NOBILE UMBERTO: (1885-1978) Italian Aeronautical Engineer and Arctic Explorer, remembered for designing and piloting the airship Norge, the first to fly across the polar ice cap from Europe to America. T.L.S., Umberto Nobile, one page, 4to, Rome, 14th June 1974, to Gerard Leman, on his printed stationery, in French. Nobile informs his correspondent `My book of memories has just been published in Paris. Entitled “The Pole - Adventure of my life” under the Fayard edition. I kindly ask you to read it and to let me know your impressions´. Accompanied by the original envelope. VG £80-100 Le Pole, Aventure de ma vie, Fayard French edition, was published in Paris in 1974.
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